ZANZIBAR: THE Zanzibar government has pledged continued support for initiatives aimed at transforming the livestock sector, particularly dairy production, to boost productivity, improve farmers’ incomes and strengthen markets.
Minister for Agriculture, Irrigation, Natural Resources and Livestock, Mr Suleiman Masoud Makame made the commitment during a handover ceremony for vehicles and motorcycles procured to support the implementation of the Climate-Smart Dairy Transformation Project (CSDTP).
The ceremony was held at the Ministry of Agriculture offices in Maruhubi, Urban District, Unguja.
Mr Makame said the project was central to government efforts to transform dairy production by increasing output, improving market access, raising farmers’ incomes and enhancing their welfare.
“Successful implementation requires financial discipline, timely execution, transparency and accountability, alongside close cooperation between the ministry, the Project Coordination Office, government institutions and other stakeholders,” he said.
The minister urged project managers to accelerate implementation and complete procurement procedures on time to improve efficiency and overall performance.
He also directed officials to ensure that all project activities complied with the laws, regulations and guidelines governing government projects.
ALSO READ: Heifer International, Côte d’Ivoire join forces for dairy sector transformation
Mr Makame further stressed that the vehicles and motorcycles handed over should be used for their intended purposes and properly maintained to ensure their long-term serviceability.
He called for stronger monitoring and accountability mechanisms to assess progress and measure the project’s impact, particularly on milk production, productivity and quality, access to services and markets, employment creation and farmers’ incomes.
Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Saleh Mohamed Juma, said the new vehicles and motorcycles would help address transport challenges that had previously affected project officials, enabling them to perform their duties more efficiently.
He said the equipment would improve project implementation and support production across the dairy value chain by reducing logistical constraints.
Project Coordinator, Mr Faki Ame Kessi, said the project would run for 10 years and was designed to transform Zanzibar’s dairy production sector.
He said the initiative would cover various aspects of the dairy value chain, including production and market development, with the aim of increasing milk output, expanding market opportunities and improving farmers’ livelihoods.